Designer Corner – Moser Architecture Studio

Featured Image: Terrazzo Cream 24×24 Large-Format Porcelain Living Room Floor Tile from Arizona Tile at Morelli House Las Vegas

Some renovation projects are about updating a space. Others are about protecting the story behind it.

The historic Morelli House Las Vegas falls into the second category. Originally commissioned in 1959 by Antonio and Helen Morelli, the home sits firmly within an important chapter of Las Vegas history, back when the city’s entertainment culture was closely tied to the Sands Hotel, live orchestras, and the Rat Pack era that helped define the Strip’s identity.

Antonio Morelli was the longtime orchestra conductor and musical director for the Sands Hotel Copa Room. That role placed him at the center of one of the most iconic entertainment periods in Las Vegas history, working alongside performers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The home itself was designed to support that lifestyle. Large open gathering spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and areas built for entertaining all reflected how the Morellis lived and hosted guests.

Today, the home is entering a new chapter through a partnership between the Junior League, the Nevada Architects Foundation, and AIA Las Vegas. The property is being transformed into a headquarters and community hub for architecture, preservation, education, and collaboration in Southern Nevada. Leading that effort is Troy Moser of Moser Architecture Studio, who currently serves as president of AIA’s Las Vegas chapter and has also held leadership positions with AIA Nevada. Through this restoration, Moser and his team are carefully adapting the home for modern use while preserving the details that make it historically significant.

Video: Inside the redesign of the historic Morelli House Las Vegas with Troy Moser of Moser Architecture Studio and AIA Las Vegas

Preserving a Mid-Century Landmark

One of the most interesting things about the Morelli House is how intentionally it was designed for its time.

Architect Hugh Taylor created the home with an open floor plan that encouraged entertaining and movement between spaces. Some of the elements used to help establish the relaxed mid-century atmosphere the Morellis wanted are:

• Exposed beams
• Expansive windows
• Natural light
• Simple but expressive materials

The character these design elements evoke still exists throughout the house today.

Instead of stripping the interiors down and rebuilding them into something unrecognizable, the renovation team approached the project with restraint. Existing features were preserved wherever possible, like:

• Original linoleum
• Cabinetry
• Restroom finishes
• Architectural detailing

That balance matters in a mid-century renovation. Once original materials disappear, it becomes difficult to recreate the feeling of the home authentically. The goal is not to freeze the house in time, but to allow it to function today without losing the personality that made it important in the first place.

Image: Exterior of the Morelli House in Las Vegas, Nevada

Troy Moser and his team approached the project with that in mind from the beginning. Offices and co-working spaces were integrated into former bedroom areas, while shared spaces throughout the house continue to reflect the openness and hospitality the home was originally known for.

Image: Floor Inspection Before New Living Room Tile at Morelli House, Las Vegas

Selecting the Right Flooring for the Living Room

One of the biggest updates inside the home happened in the living room.

The original carpet no longer fit the needs of the space, especially as the Morelli House transitions into a public-facing headquarters for AIA Las Vegas and the Nevada Architects Foundation. Durability became an important consideration, but so did historical context.

The team wanted a material that could handle heavier use while still feeling appropriate to the era of the home.

That led them to Terrazzo Cream 24 x 24, a large-format porcelain floor tile from Arizona Tile.

The selection works particularly well because it references authentic terrazzo, a material commonly used throughout mid-century architecture. Traditional terrazzo became popular for:

• Durability
• Speckled visual texture
• Ability to create clean, expansive surfaces in high-traffic spaces

You still see it throughout many historic commercial buildings and homes from the 1950s and 1960s. Rather than installing traditional poured terrazzo, the design team selected a porcelain floor tile that captures the same visual character while offering the performance benefits needed for the project.

Image: Terrazzo Porcelain 24×24 Large-format Living Room Porcelain Floor Tile from Arizona Tile at Morelli House Las Vegas

The Terrazzo Cream surface complements the home’s period architecture naturally. It does not compete with the original materials or try to modernize the room unnecessarily. Instead, it feels connected to the home’s existing palette and architectural language.

The 24×24 porcelain floor tile format also played an important role in the final look. Large porcelain tile flooring reduces grout lines across the surface, helping the room feel visually cleaner and more open. In a home filled with natural light and long sightlines, that continuity becomes especially important.

The soft tone of the cream porcelain floor tiles also helps reflect daylight throughout the living room, reinforcing the bright, open atmosphere mid-century homes are known for.

For homeowners looking for design ideas for porcelain tile floor in living room spaces, the project is a strong example of how material selection can support the architecture rather than overpower it. Take a look at our porcelain and ceramic collection and browse additional large-format porcelain floor tile options for similar projects. Make sure to also read about recommended care and maintenance guidance for porcelain and ceramic surfaces.

Working Around Existing Historic Materials

One detail that says a lot about the project is the transition between the new porcelain tile flooring and the home’s original linoleum.

Instead of removing the historic material entirely, the team chose to preserve it and carefully design the transition between surfaces.

Image: Terrazzo Porcelain Tile to Historic Linoleum Living Room Floor Transition at Morelli House in Las Vegas, NV

That required detailed planning around thickness, elevation, and movement between rooms. The installation team used a brass Schluter transition that aligns beautifully with the original linoleum accent band already present in the house.

It is a small detail, but it reflects the broader mindset behind the renovation. Good preservation work often comes down to decisions like these three guidelines:

• Respecting the existing material palette
• Understanding scale
• Knowing when to restore and when to introduce something new

In this case, the large cream porcelain floor tiles feel intentional because they work with the original interiors instead of trying to dominate them.

For anyone considering porcelain tile flooring for living room updates within older homes, compatibility matters just as much as appearance.

Arizona Tile also worked closely with the Moser team throughout the selection process. According to Troy Moser, the design team reviewed multiple options before finalizing the color, texture, and size that best suited the house. That collaboration became an important part of the final result. The flooring needed to perform well, fit the architecture, and support the long-term use of the property as a community-focused design space.

A Home Designed for the Future of Las Vegas Design

The Morelli House has already lived several lives.

It began as a private residence tied to one of the most recognizable eras in Las Vegas entertainment history. It survived relocation from the Desert Inn golf course area to downtown Las Vegas in the early 2000s. And now, through the efforts of AIA Las Vegas, the Nevada Architects Foundation, and Moser Architecture Las Vegas, it is becoming a space dedicated to design education, preservation, and public engagement.

What makes the renovation successful is that it never loses sight of the house itself.

The updates feel connected to the architecture. The new materials acknowledge the period they belong to. And the project proves that functional upgrades do not have to erase history to feel current. For more living room inspiration, explore our living room design gallery.

Start Your Own Project

Whether you are restoring a historic property or designing a newer space with mid-century influence, the right material selection can completely shape how the finished environment feels and functions. Large white porcelain floor tiles, porcelain tile flooring for living room spaces, and other large-format surfaces offer durability while still maintaining a clean architectural look.

To get started, visit an Arizona Tile location, experiment with different materials using the Just Imagine visualizer, or check availability through our online slab yard. If you have questions about product selection or your next renovation project, you can also contact our team.

You can follow more work from Moser Architecture Studio via their website or Instagram page. Also, get to learn more about the ongoing efforts behind the Morelli House through AIA Las Vegas.